United’s slump is due to lack of confidence, says Keane
The 31-year-old is among those who have been sidelined, having played just five games all season and none since his controversial dismissal against Sunderland in August.
Keane will be joined by Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and possibly Gary Neville in the stands on Saturday when the Red Devils take on Newcastle aiming to end a run of one win from five league outings.
Keane admits watching his team-mates struggle has been frustrating, especially as he feels results should be better than they are.
“We have one or two injuries but that is too easy an excuse for people to use,” Keane said. “It is a great opportunity for players coming into the team to show what they can do and the team we put out on Sunday was capable of beating West Ham away.”
Analysing United’s performance in the disappointing 1-1 draw at Upton Park, Keane indicated the team were lacking in confidence, especially Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who wasted three chances he would normally have snapped up. With big games against Liverpool and Arsenal to follow the Magpies clash, United know if results go against them, their championship hopes will be over.
Though happy with the improvement he has made in his own fitness fight, Keane confirmed he has still not started to twist and turn and will not put a date on his anticipated return.
“I am doing really well and working hard, especially in the last three or four weeks,” he said. “I would like to be helping out the team and doing my job on the pitch but I have to be patient. I don’t want to set myself targets which might be unrealistic. I will just listen to the surgeon and hopefully be able to continue following the fitness programme I have been given. Once I’m ready to twist and turn it won’t be long before I am back in the team.
“It is the first time anyone at the club has had this type of injury and maybe that’s part of the reason why I put off surgery in the first place. But I am glad to have had it done and mentally and physically I feel good.”
Meanwhile, Juan Sebastian Veron may have to curb his natural risk-taking instincts, with his performances again coming under close scrutiny, as Manchester United’s season teeters on the brink of failure. With an injury list growing almost by the day, the £28.1million Argentinian is carrying the burden of responsibility in a season which, domestically at least, seems to be turning sour.
Even manager Alex Ferguson agrees the Champions League stages seem to bring out the best in the cultured midfielder and Veron’s four spectacular strikes did much to ensure a smooth passage into the last 16.
But the assuredness of Veron’s displays on continental fields seems to disappear at home. Even though he has shown more of a willingness to get involved in the physical battles this term, he has rarely been the influence Ferguson hoped for when he smashed the then club record to attract his services from Lazio 15 months ago.
The debate is a fierce one and, for one week at least, cost Old Trafford’s in-house television station MUTV its access to Ferguson following critical comments made against Veron by one-time Old Trafford hero Stuart Pearson.
Despite his troubles, Veron still wins Ferguson’s complete backing. Never has the Scot thought about cashing in on him, though with Serie A in financial meltdown, it is hard to see who could afford his wages and pay the transfer fee United would demand.
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